Sourcebooks, paranormal romance, September 2008
Connections: second in series, follows 50 Ways to Hex Your Lover

Linda Wisdom returns us to the wacky, wonderful world of witch Jazz Tremaine, her vampire lover Nick, her human housemate Krebs, her resident ghost Irma (who has obtained a slobbering ghost dog companion), and her sentient bunny slippers, Fluff and Puff. But all is now well in Jazz's world: first she gets awakened by the very real-feeling nightmare of Nick tearing her throat out, and then, as she runs home, her bunny slippers get accused of eating a were-weasel who works the boardwark carnival.

So now she has to track down both the source of her bad dreams and the real culprit behind the were-weasel's disappearance, all while balancing the rest of her life: Irma wanting new stuff all the time, Krebs wanting her approval of his latest girlfriend, her disgusting boss Dweezil wanting her help in his latest turf war...it's all in a day's work, but is it getting to be too much?

I like Jazz even better this time out -- she's less shallow, more vulnerable, more real. The unnecessary and condescending explanations of some things were, for the most part, gone (still, do you really need to explain what Father Knows Best was?!), which only improved the reading experience for me. Overall, I am really growing to enjoy Ms. Wisdom's creative world and the characters who live in it.

Review © 2009 by Riley's Reviews

Dell, paranormal romance, May 2009
Connections: book #6 in the Midnight Breed series

For this book, we step outside the Order (at least for the main characters): our hero is Andreas Reichen, leader of the Berlin Darkhaven that was destroyed by the bad guys in the prior book. Andreas was presumed dead along with the rest of his family and community, but no one realized the talent he inherited from his Breedmate mother saved him -- like a phoenix rising from the flames, he survived, and has been wreaking vengeance, one bad guy, one crooked Agency employee, at a time ever since.

Now, only one remains: Wilhelm Roth, the mastermind of the entire plot to destroy Andreas and his Darkhaven. Roth is also the Breed who stole the woman who should have been Andreas's thirty years before. Claire, Roth's Breedmate and Andreas's former lover, is the only link Andreas has to Roth -- her blood links her directly to Roth, but is Andreas still honorable enough not to exploit that link? Things get even more complicated when it becomes apparent that Roth is in league with Dragos, the Big Bad that the Order has been tracking over the entire series.

The pathos of Andreas's past plays out well alongside the action of chasing Roth and Dragos, though Andreas gets a little too self-pitying and self-sacrificial for my taste after a while. Claire elicits sympathy, though, especially for the degree to which she's willing to protect or chase down and stay with Andreas once she knows he's alive.

There is, however, one gaping plot hole that drove me batty from the moment I detected it (behind a cut for spoilers): ( Read more... )

Overall, this was a decent entry in the series -- good couple dynamics and a nice advancement of the overall Big Bad arc. I'm still committed to the series.

Review © 2009 by Riley's Reviews

HQN, contemporary romance, July 2009
Connections: Second in the Girlfriends trilogy, follows Cutting Loose

With this delightful and sizzling story, Susan Andersen returns us to the world of the three best friends -- Jane, Poppy, and Ava -- who have inherited a historic mansion and all its contents from their childhood mentor and inspiration. This time, it's artist, teacher, and "bleeding heart" Poppy at center stage, and she's going toe-to-toe with Detective Jason de Sanges over some teens caught vandalizing local businesses with graffiti. She wants the kids to help paint a mural on the wall they defaced, but Jase sees this as reward rather than a safe outlet for their creativity. The two figuratively strike sparks off each other, both in their arguments over the kids and in some truly spectacular sexual chemistry.

Jase is a fascinating hero -- it's like he doesn't believe redemption is possible, even for himself. Though he's so clearly not like the other men in his family, he still thinks he could slip up at any time. Poppy, with all her openness, acceptance, and intolerance for bullshit, really is his perfect match. I adore this couple -- they're the poster children for opposites attracting.

I really enjoyed both books in the Girlfriends series and am bitterly disappointed in HQN for their decision to not publish Ava's story. I live in hope that someday we readers will get that story, but in the meantime, enjoy Poppy and Jase's story, because it's worth it.

Review © 2009 by Riley's Reviews

Pocket, historical romance, July 2009
Connections: final installment in School for Heiresses series

Forget the heiress students, in this installment, readers finally get the story of headmistress Charlotte Harris and her mysterious benefactor, "Cousin Michael," whose missives have graced the openings of every chapter in each preceding book. Fortunately, Ms. Jeffries doesn't hide Michael's real identity from readers for very long in this book, and I'm smugly pleased that I guessed correctly as to who he really is. Reasoning and blather behind the cut...( Read more... )...so the fun is watching David, Lord Kirkwood, try to keep it from Charlotte -- well, at least until he can present his case in the most advantageous light!

It's quite an intricate plot wherein David invented "Cousin Michael" as a form of revenge, but his plan backfired, because he ended up falling back in love with Charlotte, his first love, all over again, and now his house of cards is about to come down on his head. Charlotte herself is an intriguing contradiction -- so prim and proper with her "girls," and yet with such a streak of unrestrained wildness to her as well.

Their story is the Big Misunderstanding done right, set up in such a way that they can't really talk to each other about it -- at least not back in the day, and now, they're too proud or scared to do so, almost until it's too late. The interesting thing is it's a situation where I felt sympathy for both parties. Usually with this sort of plot I want to smack one or both of the people involved, but not this time. David was left humiliated with no idea why, while Charlotte was heartbroken and chose a very dismal fate for herself rather than endure what she thought would be a "ton marriage." It's bittersweet to the extreme.

Maybe it's because I'm getting older and so identify with characters more my age than those right out of the schoolroom, or maybe it was the huge buildup to Charlotte and David's story and the fact that Ms. Jeffries definitely didn't let readers down, but this was my favorite of all the books in the series, with mature love that stands a much better chance for happily-ever-after because it's stronger and better the second time around.

Review © 2009 by Riley's Reviews

Jove, paranormal romance, August 2009
Connections: set on Harmony, but stands alone nicely

Lyra Dore is an amber "tuner" and prospector with a grudge. Cruz Sweetwater and his family company, Amber Inc., stole her claim of a magnificent amethyst amber ruin in the underground rainforests of Harmony. That was three months and a very expensive lawsuit ago. Now Cruz is back, claiming that he not only needs her professional help, but also that on a personal level, they are meant to be together.

Honestly, Castle/Krentz/Quick books are comfort reads to me, and not much more. If I ever found something new and earthshattering in one, I'd really be shocked, but being classified as a comfort read isn't a bad thing, either. They're fairly interchangeable but nevertheless enjoyable and entertaining in general, not to mention re-readable years later (as proven in my recent Krentz marathon).

What stood out to me as fun in this book was Vincent, the painting dust bunny, and the running joke among the Sweetwaters that Lyra broke Cruz's heart. What bugged me is that all stones, no matter what color they are, are considered amber -- that's hard to wrap my head around, since here on Earth, amber is essentially petrified tree sap and amethyst is a form of quartz rock. But hey, I guess on Harmony, amber is similar to how all carbonated beverages in the southern US on Earth are "Coke" even when you order a 7-Up. Another thing that's a little confusing is the intertwining of the Arcane Society through the Quick historicals, Krentz contemporaries, and Castle futuristics -- with the publication schedules for paperbacks, one can get confused with all the references if one hasn't read the referenced books yet.

Still, I quite like the world of Harmony, and someday, I'll do a marathon re-read, and this book will be a part of that.

Review © 2009 by Riley's Reviews

Berkley Heat, erotic romance, August 2009

A decade ago, free-spirited rocker chick Erin Brown had a scorching affair with seemingly straitlaced cop Todd Keenan, but they went their separate ways when Todd couldn't handle his part of their sexual power exchange. Now in the present day, they meet again, both scarred (literally and emotionally) by events in the intervening years.

This time around, though, Todd is more confident and sure of his sexuality, even when his best friend Ben enters his relationship with Erin on an intimate level. But is his new-found confidence enough to tie him, Erin, and Ben together for good, especially in the face of Erin's past and their various families?

I really enjoyed this book. I could not put it down, but at the same time was trying to force myself to read slowly so that it wouldn't end too soon. I loved that Erin was a straight-up, in-your-face kind of woman, sure of who she was and what she wanted, but at the same time, she was emotional and vulnerable. So few authors give their characters both sides of the coin, and I love that Ms. Dane recognizes that even kick-ass females aren't completely invulnerable. Erin certainly isn't. Her emotional turmoil was heartwrenching and her eventual trust in a new life filled with happiness -- happiness she's allowed to have -- was great to watch.

The relationships and power exchanges were tremendously realistic and satisfying. The sex was, of course, off-the-charts hot and chock-full of chemistry. And how decadent that while Todd and Ben were all about lavishing Erin with pleasure, they weren't phobic about each other, either. Good stuff.

If I have one quibble, it's with the practicality of a permanent, formal menage. I've talked about this before with other books. Somehow, for me as a reader, it just seems to work better in a futuristic or some otherworldly setting. When set in our contemporary world, I end up getting caught up in the what-if type questions. That said, it did seem like Todd, Erin, and Ben had a good handle on things, and maybe if more was done with that angle, I'd feel better myself. Having said that, I know Ms. Dane has other books planned for this setting, so maybe I'll be getting my wish in the future. My quibble definitely wasn't enough to put me off; this book is going -- and staying -- on my keeper shelf.

1/2

Review © 2009 by Riley's Reviews

Samhain, romantic suspense, October 2009
Connections: second in trilogy

First of all, a big fat THANK YOU to Samhain Publishing for picking up Gennita Low's contract on these books. You're not going to regret it, because she rocks!

A quick word of advice to GLow fans: because Virtually Hers picks up where Virtually His left off and it's been 2 years, it might be good to re-read VHis first, just to refresh your memory on the remote viewing programs and such, before embarking on the new adventures of Hell and Hades.

When last we left Helen "Hell" Roston, she had just done two hugely important things: she remote-viewed spontaneously without the aid of devices or her mysterious and seductive monitor, Hades, and through said remote-viewing, learned the identity of Hades. Now the trick is getting super-slick Jed McNeil to admit his role as Hades, and what results is a deviously seductive game of cat and mouse between the two super spies.

Personal games aside, Jed and Helen still have a mission to complete: locating missing weapons before a rival team, who apparently also have a remote viewer, does. And when Helen and one of the other COMCEN team members who can remote-view, Armando, have a close encounter on the "psychic plane" (for lack of a better word) with the rival team's remote viewer right there in COMCEN HQ, the whole team realizes that things are far more deadly than originally thought. And when Helen and Jed, as Hell and Hades, trace the invasion back to its source, Jed discovers it's far more personal too.

But before we can find out why, we're given one hell of a cliffhanger -- when is Virtually One coming out, anyway?!

I thoroughly enjoyed this second foray into the secret world of remote viewing. The plot was well-drawn, and by virtue of having read VHis first, I was entrenched in the lingo for this go-round. The commandos of COMCEN are great fun, and it was terrific to see them all again. But the centerpiece, of course, was the growing relationship between Hell and Hades.

Ms. Low expertly built the layers of interaction between Helen and Jed, giving them identities and interactions as Hell and Hades, Helen and Number Nine, and Elena and Jed, and making them functional on every level. The three levels might not fully mesh yet, but readers can see how they will, and the fun will be watching the characters get there.

Review © 2009 by Riley's Reviews

Mira, romantic suspense, 2007
Connections: first in trilogy

I saved this book to read until the other two books in the set, Virtually Hers and Virtually One came out. Little did I know that I was going to have such a long, long wait! But, at long last, Samhain is releasing Virtually Hers this week, so I finally got around to re-entering the wonderfully complex world of Gennita Low with Virtually His.

I'm glad I saved the book to read together with the newer ones so that events would be fresh in my head. This isn't just romantic suspense, it's military romantic suspense, and it's filled with secret ops and acronyms and shadow organizations. Not only that, but it's military romantic suspense dealing with a special ops program about remote viewing in virtual reality -- aka, spying with the mind on the psychic plane -- so there were a ton of technical details to learn as well. Honestly, it was hard to keep straight at times...and still, I enjoyed the hell out of myself (pun intended).

Why? In short, the heroine, Helen/Elena/Hell Roston was just so damn much fun! She was both a kick-ass heroine and vulnerable. She surpassed every other candidate put forth by every other covert agency to win the position as the remote-viewing super soldier spy...and yet, inside the world of virtual reality, she is both in control of what she is seeing, but completely under the control of "Hades," her maddeningly mysterious and seductive monitor.

I had the unusual perspective of already knowing who Hades was, but such is the cleverness of Ms. Low's writing, that even I got lost in Hell's perspective of frustrated lack of knowledge from time to time. And when I did remember, all I could do was grin over how well-matched Hell and Hades were. A few scenes made me a bit squeamish as they had Hell under her monitor's complete control in every sense of the word, but at the same time, I have ever faith that Hell will give as good as she gets at some point in the coming books, and I can't wait to find out.

1/2

Review © 2009 by Riley's Reviews

Pocket, historical romance, March 2009

I read this book in April, and I was horrified when I realized today, as I was flipping through my book journal, that I had jotted notes to review it, but never actually wrote the review. Gack!

Anyway, this is the story of Phaedra Northampton, the proper spinster sister of Lord Nash (see Never Lie to a Lady), who is engaging in some very improper behavior, staking out a notorious brothel in the hopes of "rescuing" her maid's sister, who abandoned her child and ran off to London. Tristan Talbot, Lord Avoncliffe, has the reputation of a layabout good-for-nothing, but he's also secretly investigating the brothel, believing it to be a front for a spy ring.

Whenever the prim Phaedra and the roguish Tristan encounter each other, whether in a ballroom or in an alley, sparks fly. Though Tristan does his best to keep Phaedra out of the investigation, she's not about to be left behind.

I absolutely loved that Phaedra was much less proper than she seemed, and that Tristan was deeper than he presented himself. On an emotional level, Tristan is the perfect foil for Phaedra, helping her come to terms with her past tragedies, and she, in turn, supports him through his personal issues as well. All the relationships in the book -- whether Phaedra and Tristan's or Phaedra and Nash's or the maid and her sister's -- were layered, complex, and realistic. Not everyone gets a fairy tale ending, but all's well that ends well.

And in looking up the publication information, I discovered, much to my delight, that the next book, Wicked All Day will be out September 22nd.

1/2

Review © 2009 by Riley's Reviews

Berkley Heat, erotica, June 2008
Connections: first in trilogy?

The Art of Desire cleverly relates two romances: the first, in present-day Santa Fe, is that of a somewhat prim museum curator and her bad-boy younger lover; the second, set in the late 1800's, is that of an unconventional female artist and a wanted Native American scout. Museum curator Mandy Cooper is obsessed with the painting of Atacar, the Native scout, which hangs in her museum. She's dying to know more about the alleged romance between Atacar and Catherine Burke, the artist who painted the portrait. Little does she realize that it's because of Catherine and Atacar that she even met Jared Cabrillo, her bad boy. Jared is actually a descendent of the artist and her lover, and he possesses Catherine's diary, the one Mandy is so desperately seeking. But he doesn't tell her. Instead, he seduces her, much the same way Atacar seduced Catherine many years ago.

The two-fold nature of this story is complex and interesting. Readers flash between Mandy and Jared in the present and Catherine and Atacar in the past, courtesy of Catherine's diary entries. But the outcome of neither romance is a foregone conclusion. While it is obvious that Catherine and Atacar are in love, Mandy and Jared's journey is not as clear-cut. Though Atacar is presented as the mystery to be unraveled, it is Jared who is the true mystery: what are his motives? What are his feelings?

Very often, erotica has heat but not heart. This is not the case here. Both couples are readable and relatable even while the pages are scorching with explicitly hawt secks. I bought The Art of Desire completely blind -- i.e., with no recommendations or previous experiences with the author -- because the book just appealed to me. Though I would have liked a little more on Jared's background, the appeal played out into genuine like. I'll be going into Submission less blindly, but with more anticipation.

1/2

Review © 2009 by Riley's Reviews

ROC, contemporary fantasy, March 2009 (paperback release)
Connections: book #10 in the Dresden Files series

Although I've devoured every single book in this series, I seem to have this tendency not to review them. Why? Because I think there's only so many times I can say "Wow!" That's usually how I leave a Dresden book, simply by saying "Wow!" But I thought I'd give it a go.

Poor Harry. Every time he gets his life back to something resembling normal (for him), something happens to screw that all up. In this case, it's a horrible series of death magic crime scenes interrupted by Mab, the Queen of the Sidhe Winter Court, showing up in Chicago to call in the second of three favors Harry owes her. Of all things, Mab wants Harry to find and protect Gentleman Johnny Marcone, a gangster who dabbles in the supernatural.

As with all things in Harry's world, events build up higher and higher until they spiral pretty much out of control. Soon Harry is crawling with Summer Court beasties that are out to get him, dealing with a peace summit that pulls a good bulk of the Wardens, demons of the order of Denarius, and Council muckity-mucks -- including the Archive, the most powerful Council member embodied in a small child called Ivy -- to town for a huge showdown. And, as always, it's up to Harry to save the world.

I cannot stress enough how much I love this series. Each time, Harry is tempted by the darkness only to emerge into the light -- but each time, readers have to wonder if he really will come back to the light, and how much darker he might become. It seems like every supernatural camp wants him -- the Winter Court, the Denarians, the Order of the Cross -- and each one has its pros and cons -- generally incredible power coming at incredible cost, no matter what side they're on. You have to admire Harry for standing up to all of them and insisting on being simply himself.

One thing that happens in this book that hasn't happened to Harry in some time is a bit of a love interest. Of course, given his track record, I don't expect this will be a long-term relationship. But it still kind of nice to read -- Harry's life is so tough all the time that he deserves some softness and happiness. My favorite characters are also at play here: Mouse the dog, Bob the skull, Thomas, Murphy, and the mysterious Kincaid. Opening a Dresden book is like rediscovering old friends...and taking a suicidal roller-coaster ride.

Review © 2009 by Riley's Reviews

Grand Central, fantasy, May 2008 (mass-market paperback)
Connections: second in Imriel cycle, fifth in D'Angeline series

Now that Imriel is back from his studies abroad (see Kushiel's Scion), his mind turns to both matters of state and matters of love. The matter of state is that he has agreed to marry Dorelai mab Breidaia, the Cruarch of Alba's niece -- their male child will be Cruarch himself someday, as the line is matrilineal. But in matters of love, it is his own cousin Sidonie, heir to the throne of Terre d'Ange, who holds his heart. As the son of the realm's two greatest traitors, a match between Sidonie and Imriel is simply not possible. But the laws of love in their religion trump the laws of state: love as thou wilt. What will the gods do to people who deny themselves in this precept?

With this entry in the D'Angeline series, Ms. Carey gives readers yet another marvelous epic tale. Similar to how Kushiel's Chosen was Phaedre's learning experience of what it means to answer to Kushiel, so too is Kushiel's Justice Imriel's quest to find the light of Kushiel once again. From the glittering but dangerous court of the City of Elua to the rough castle-forts of Alba to the frozen lands of Skaldia and Vralia, Imriel must survive physical trials, mystical and psychological warfare, and terrible grief to deliver Kushiel's justice and to embrace the one true precept that governs all D'Angelines: love as thou wilt.

I waited to read this book until the paperback release of the final book in this cycle, Kushiel's Mercy, was close to release. That way everything is fresh in my mind for this last book. All I can say is "Brava!" to Ms. Carey for another winner. I can tell that with the third book, we will find out that even loving as they wilt, Imriel and Sidonie still have a long road ahead of them. I can't wait to find out.

Review © 2009 by Riley's Reviews

Pocket, historical romance, June 2009
Connections: 5th novel in the School for Heiresses Series

In this penultimate entry in the series about Mrs. Charlotte Harris's finishing school, former student Lucinda Seton is on center stage. She's helping Mrs. Harris out by filling in as a temporary drawing teacher, hoping to lose herself in her work and forget about Peter Burnes, her longtime suitor who jilted her for someone more "suitable" once he gained a title. She finds way more than she bargained for in the person of Don Diego Montalvo, Master of Mystery -- the magician who has rented the estate next door and plans to turn it into a pleasure garden similar to Vauxhall Gardens. She vows to do her best to help Mrs. Harris run Diego off; the problem is, can she resist him?

Diego, though, has an ulterior motive, and so every promise Lucy makes to herself to resist his charms is made even harder by the fact that he is actively wooing her for his own purposes. He's supposed to get Lucy to come back to Spain with him at the behest of her long-lost grandfather, and in return, he will regain his family's estates. The mission seemed simple enough when he agreed to it, but now that he's met the free-spirited Lucy, can he keep his vow to her grandfather to deliver her untouched?

In some ways, this is a predictable plot, but in others, it's not, and it's the unique aspects Ms. Jeffries injects into her characters and stories that make all the difference. How many abduction plots do we see in historical romance? A lot. But no one fills in the backstory nearly as well as Ms. Jeffries does -- I was guessing until the very end, unable to quite ferret out the secret of Lucy's family. Diego's family history is equally rich and emotional. Together, he and Lucy have a depth of character that other Regency-era romance couples only wish they had.

Another thing I like that Ms. Jeffries does is taking a sexual more and turning it on its head. For being outspoken and exuberant, Lucy is labelled a hoyden and unsuitable. Her former suitor doesn't think she would be an appropriate wife, but is perfectly willing for her to be his mistress. Diego, on the other hand, teaches Lucy that passion is natural and doesn't mean she should be treated with disrespect.

Besides the lovely story of Lucy and Diego, there is also the ever-present thread of correspondence between Charlotte Harris and her mysterious benefactor, Cousin Michael. The letters are leading up to their own story, when the identity of Cousin Michael will be revealed. I had started speculating as to Michael's identity while reading this book, and my thought was that he would be titled. After reading a certain scene, I changed my mind as to which titled gentleman might be Michael. I won't give it away in this review (or in the Wed Him Before You Bed Him one either), but I will say that I guessed right. Heh.

I've really enjoyed this entire series, and Don't Bargain with the Devil is a worthy addition.

Review © 2009 by Riley's Reviews

Orbit, contemporary fantasy, April 2009
Connections: start of new series

This was another book chosen by the Cafe for a group discussion. I confess that I was a little leery, first because I wasn't enamored of the last discussion book, but also, I know you should never judge a book by its cover, but man, I hate this book's cover. I can't put my finger on exactly why I don't like the cover, but I really don't. Thankfully, I liked what was inside the cover very much!

The publishing market is overwhelmed with paranormal romance and urban fantasy, peopled with vampires, assassins, and half-vampire assassins, is there room for another book with a half-vampire assassin? In the case of Jaye Wells's Sabina Kane, the answer is yes. A provisional yes, but a yes all the same.

Sabina is half-vampire, half-mage, and was raised by her xenophobic grandmother Lavinia. She's so brainwashed by Lavinia that she'll kill whoever she's ordered to, as readers see in the opening when she assassinates another vampire named David on Lavinia's say-so. Lavinia's next mission is for Sabina to infiltrate a cult run by a half-demon named Clovis, because he plans to overthrow the vampire's rule. Sabina's life is further complicated by the arrival of a mage named Adam, who claims Sabina's mage family wants to contact her.

Ms. Wells artfully weaves Biblical lore with magical lore in her world-building work, and that is what makes this book (and hopefully, its sequel) so unique. Sabina starts off as a bit too angst-ridden and blindly obedient, but she develops into a character with promise, becoming more likable as the book progresses. Adam's a bit of a cypher/cookie cutter, at least as far as a love interest for Sabina goes, but again, he shows promise as Sabina's entree into magekind.

The book had some cliches, but at the same time enough original elements and intriguing concepts to keep me interested. I can't say it's love forever, but I will definitely read the next book, The Mage in Black, and would tell my friends who like this genre to give Jaye Wells a shot.

1/2

Review © 2009 by Riley's Reviews

HQN, contemporary romance/chick lit, 2007

This book was chosen as the group discussion book at the Lunatic Cafe. I think, without this nudge, I never would have read it...and I'm not sure I'm glad I did. I am glad I bought it used.

Maggie is in her thirties, a single diner owner in a small Maine town with a perfect sister who has the perfect marriage, and a pushy mother who constantly puts her down. When she meets an attractive man in her diner, she's so busy daydreaming about falling in love with him, she misses the fact that he's the new priest, and she ends up embarrassing herself in front of the entire town. Father Tim seems to take it in stride and takes it upon himself to play matchmaker. After a series of disastrous dates, Maggie's still secretly in love with the priest, but also feeling funny feelings for Malone, a surly fisherman who is apparently the only other single man in town.

The most basic of basics: did I like the book? I think it was a fun read in the short term, but you know what? I've already forgotten most of it, and don't actually have any desire to revisit it. I had a hard time getting into it, then it picked up and I read the rest in almost one sitting, so I liked it at the time...it just didn't stand up in the long run for me.

Maggie is a "sad sack" (thank you, Mel, for describing her that way, b/c it was right on the money). I wanted to sympathize, but her "pity poor me" schtick got old, fast. This is not someone I would have as a friend, or even have much sympathy for, once I got past the surface. Malone was a cipher, which can partially be explained by the first-person narration, but not completely, as I've read first-person books before that manage to give you a clearer glimpse of other characters than this. And even in this book, some of the other characters were more easily accessible than Malone – I'm thinking the sister, the parents, even the priest.

First person doesn't bother me, but the fact that it was written in present-tense was making my inner editor squirm. It's a really hard thing to maintain as a writer, and can come off like a "Like ohmigawd!" ditzy tone if the writer's not too careful -- Ms. Higgins sort of skirted the line, IMO.

Though it's from Harlequin and labeled romance, I definitely think this book is more chick lit. They may have been serving up diner food rather than swanky cocktails, but all the hallmarks of chick lit -- the shallowness, the helpful-but-not-helpful friends, the critical family, the hopeless and completely self-absorbed heroine -- they were all there. And these are all reasons why I hate chick lit. There was definitely not enough romance in the book. Maggie banged Malone, pure and simple. No buildup, no attraction, no nothing. And it barely got better, mainly because Maggie's obsession with the priest kept getting in the way. There were glimmers of relationship potential, but not enough.

The whole crush-on-a-priest thing was way too overdone. To decide he was "the one" based on looks and accent? Then to blab to everyone in town? Dumb, but somewhat in character and worked for the plot. What I can't forgive is Maggie's continuing to have "feelings" for Father Tim, to do all that volunteer work to be near him. That just made her pathetic, and rather unlikeable as a heroine.

I'm not sure I buy the HEA. On the one hand, Malone was showing that he was willing to try to open up, which was promising. On the other hand, Maggie is still Maggie, and I can't help but feel Malone deserves better.

If there was one thing I thought was perfectly done in this book, it was Colonel, the dog. I cried buckets. I also thought the stuff that went on with the parents' marriage was well done too -- very realistic. I honestly felt Maggie had a better relationship with her mother at the end of the book than she did with Malone.

The women at the Cafe who had read Ms. Higgins before said this was not her best effort, so perhaps I'll read another one by her to see how I like it, but I won't recommend her until I've read more of her myself.

1/2

Review © 2009 by Riley's Reviews

Grand Central, contemporary fantasy, March 2009
Connections: book #6 in the Kitty Norville series

Though I liked Kitty and the Dead Man's Hand, I felt it wasn't a complete book: there was a lot left hanging at the end, a lot of questions I wanted answers to. Bring on Kitty Raises Hell, and thank goodness, after not too long of a wait!

Kitty Raises Hell has Kitty and new husband Ben back in Denver and teaming up with the city's master vampire, Rick, to deal with the threats from the band of Tiamat, the freaky shapeshifting cult Kitty tangled with in Las Vegas. Though the shifters haven't shown their faces, Kitty's restaurant was vandalized...and then stranger things start to happen, things that seem ghostly or completely unexplainable -- such as pack members spontaneously combusting.

Luckily, the cast and crew of a popular "ghost hunter" TV show, Paradox PI, are in town to do a reading of a supposedly haunted property, and aside from getting them to do a guest stint on her radio show, and vice-versa, Kitty talks them into helping her investigate the Tiamat problem. The gang holds a seance at New Moon...and the kitchen bursts into flames.

It's a race against the clock to discover what is wreaking such havoc, and Kitty's right in the middle, pressured beyond all get-out because she is the Alpha and the rest of the pack are looking to her for guidance and leadership. And on top of this, the estranged brother of her best friend T.J., who died to save her (see Kitty and the Midnight Hour), comes to town demanding answers about his brother's death.

While Kitty and the Dead Man's Hand had nonstop action, Kitty Raises Hell had that and then some -- most importantly, answers, about not only the band of Tiamat, but also about the mysterious Rick. But not just answers -- we get to see Kitty endure trial by fire, literally, and prove that her more laid-back approach to leadership really does work. She's really grown from the first book, and I love how far she's come.

1/2

Review © 2009 by Riley's Reviews

ROC, contemporary fantasy, March 2007
Connections: second in series, follows Nightlife

Nightlife introduced Caliban "Cal" Leandros, who's half-human and half-monster -- a dark elf known as an Auphe -- and his older half-brother, the fully human Niko. Now apparently safe from the Auphe, the brothers have settled in New York City and run an investigative agency catering to the supernatural community.

Their newest case deals with the Kin, the werewolf mafia: Cal is supposed to go undercover to gather proof that one of the bosses is trying to take down a rival, but the deal goes sideways, and the bad guys kidnap George, the young seer Cal is sweet on (but won't admit it). The case takes them deep into the underbelly of of the underworld as well as deep into their own dubious family history.

Ms. Thurman doesn't pull any punches; the action scenes are beautifully (and grotesquely at times) written, and the plot is dark, intricate, and seamlessly crafted. I am fast growing to love the Leandros boys. Their brotherly relationship is snarky yet affectionate, rooted in the deepest possible loyalty. And they extend that loyalty to their friends like George, Niko's vampire girlfriend Promise, and the ruthlessly charming puck Robin Goodfellow. Together, this ragtag bunch make a terrific and powerful team, solving cases while navigating complex interpersonal relationships.

I'll definitely be back for more.

Review © 2009 by Riley's Reviews

Sourcebooks, historical novel, August 2009 release
Connections: follows The Darcys and the Bingleys

Last year, I was lucky enough to be introduced to Marsha Altman’s wonderful sequel to Pride and Prejudice, The Darcys and the Bingleys. This year, I got lucky again: I scored an advanced copy of the next book, The Plight of the Darcy Brothers. I am happy to report that this book was delightful as well.

The story picks up not terribly long after the previous book ends, and it starts on a sobering note for Darcy, Elizabeth, and readers: Elizabeth has miscarried for a second time. Darcy particularly feels helpless -- this is one situation he can’t fix by throwing around his clout as the master of Pemberley -- so when a scandalous situation with yet another Bennet sister arises, Darcy’s almost grateful, because it’s the distraction his beloved wife needs to bring her fully back into the swing of things.

Together, the Darcys go off to the Continent to avert social disaster for, of all people, Mary Bennet, but on the way, they discover an even bigger scandal in the Darcy family tree. So they really have a lot on their plates.

Meanwhile, precocious Geoffrey Darcy has been left in the care of the Bingleys, where he and his cousins delight in playing pranks (some seriously funny ones, I might add) on Charles, Jane, and pretty much every other adult resident of Chatton. Mary and the elder Bennets wait for the Darcys’ return, fully aware that her reputation and future, as well as Kitty’s, are on the line. Mrs. Bennet persuades Mr. Bingley into hosting the Wickhams as well, taking advantage of the fact that Darcy isn’t around to gainsay her wishes. And over in town, Caroline (Bingley) Maddox awaits her confinement while her doctor husband has an interesting run-in with the Prince Regent himself.

There are a lot of balls flying around in this book, but Ms. Altman juggles them well, with a deft and subtle touch Jane Austen herself would appreciate. As with The Darcys and the Bingleys, Ms. Altman stays true to the characters, but makes them her own, as well as adding her own characters who fit in seamlessly, along with real historical figures in a whimsical but respectful way.

I’m not quite sure what the “plight” of the title is, although the former literary student in me has imagined elaborate metaphors about how the Darcy brothers are at the mercy of their family history, no matter how much they do not want to be, and how each of them ends up is a reflection of their characters.

The Plight of the Darcy Brothers is a solid follow-up to The Darcys and the Bingleys, with a proper Austen-like feel. I do hope this isn’t the final entry in this refreshing take on literature’s favorite couple -- personally, I’d love to see Georgiana Darcy find her happily ever after (hint, hint). If you’re an Austen fan, check Marsha Altman’s series out -- though I advise you to do so in order. You’ll thank me.

1/2

Review © 2009 by Riley's Reviews

Grand Central/Forever, historical romance, May 2009
Connections: book #3 in the Legend of the Four Soldiers quartet

OK, I did 2 less-than-good reviews tonight, and I want to end on a high note -- with Elizabeth Hoyt, I can do that. To Beguile a Beast is a wonderful take on the Beauty and the Beast fable.

Helen Fitzwilliam is the mistress of the powerful Duke of Lister, and had two children by him. Lister is cold and cruel, and Helen takes her children and flees, unable to take it any longer. Her friend Melissande (To Seduce a Sinner), sends her little family to the wilds of Scotland, to be "housekeeper" for Sir Alistair Munroe, a naturalist who became a recluse after he was horribly disfigured in the Spinner's Falls massacre. Really, Melissande is engaging in some subtle matchmaking.

And it works. Alistair is both blown away by Helen's beauty and by the fact that Helen isn't put off by his scars. But he also sees the down-to-earth woman behind the beauty, and that's what thrills Helen. As they explore their feelings for each other, Lister's henchmen close in on them, and Alistair tries to get closer to the answers that remain about the massacre and who among the ranks betrayed the regiment.

As anyone who's followed my reviews knows, I'm not nuts about kids in my romance novels, and Helen's kids aren't an exception, although I did like how Alistair bonded with them, and they did serve their purpose in drawing Alistair out of his self-imposed exile. What I really loved though was Helen opening up to Alistair and vice-versa, and Alistair finally coming to the realization that he didn't have to punish himself for life for the horrible things that happened to him. Their relationship is beautifully drawn, and the over-arching plot of the mystery of the massacre is building up nicely. I definitely can't wait for the final installment!

1/2

Review © 2009 by Riley's Reviews

Berkley Sensation, historical romance, July 2008
Connections: only very slightly related to The Spymaster's Lady, stands well alone

I absolutely loved The Spymaster's Lady, and was eagerly anticipating this release, but sadly, My Lord and Spymaster didn't live up to my expectations.

Jess Whitby's father has been arrested for treason, accused of being the notorious spy "Cinq." She's determined to prove him innocent, and she's sure Captain Sebastian Kennett is the real Cinq. But of course her attraction for him complicates her mission...

I was frustrated with the lack of believable motivation for the characters. We find out almost NOTHING about Jess until page 262, when she finally tells Sebastian how she came to work for Lazarus. I still know practically nothing about Sebastian himself, except that he's a bastard who had a hard life until he was taken in by his aunt, and he looks at Jess and alpha males, "Hnnngh. Mine," with no real reason for why he wants her. I totally didn't buy their chemistry.

If that wasn't bad enough, I can't figure out the damn plot at all. What's with the Irishmen? Who employed them? What happened in the past to make Sebastian the rich one and Quentin dependent on him?

I like animals, but the ferret thing struck me as unrealistic.

The speech patterns drove me insane. Particularly Josiah Whitby's. With Jess, he's all "thee" and "tha" but with Sebastian, he talks normally.

About the only thing I liked about this book was Adrian...and even he was being a little too obtuse for my taste.

I think that yes, my expectations were far too high after The Spymaster's Lady. I was mostly forcing my way through the book, telling myself, "Everyone else loved this book, what are you missing?" When I got to the bit about her going back to Lazarus, I got excited, thinking I was finally about to learn something of value, but after that, enthusiasm died off again.

I'll still read Ms. Bourne's next book -- hopefully it will line up with my expectations.

Review © 2009 by Riley's Reviews